43 Missing Children Found in Westchester County Operation

Coordinated effort by law enforcement and child protection agencies located vulnerable youth at risk of exploitation.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A large-scale Missing Child Rescue Operation has successfully located 43 children and teens who were previously reported missing to police in Westchester County, New York. The operation was led by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, working alongside the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the National Child Protection Task Force.

Why it matters

In 2025 alone, 10,629 children under 18 were reported missing in New York State, and 94 percent were reported as runaways. Runaway children are among the most vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation, and abuse, which is why rapid response and collaboration between law enforcement and child protection agencies is critical.

The details

Over the course of three days, more than 70 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, along with nonprofit organizations and private-sector partners, came together to find missing children who may be at risk of exploitation, endangerment, or harm. Investigators reviewed case notes, explored new leads, and used advanced technology to locate children ranging in age from 8 to 17 years old at the time they were reported missing.

  • The Missing Child Rescue Operation took place over three days in February 2026.
  • In 2025, 10,629 children under 18 were reported missing in New York State.

The players

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

The state agency that led the Missing Child Rescue Operation.

New York State Office of Children and Family Services

The state agency that coordinated with nonprofit organizations and victim assistance programs to provide support and services to the recovered children.

National Child Protection Task Force

The national organization that worked alongside state and local agencies to locate the missing children.

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What’s next

The Office of Children and Family Services will continue to coordinate with nonprofit organizations and victim assistance programs across the Downstate Region to ensure the recovered children receive the necessary services and support to address trauma, housing instability, family conflict, and other root causes that may have contributed to them going missing.

The takeaway

This operation highlights the importance of multi-agency collaboration and the use of advanced technology in locating missing children who are at risk of exploitation and harm. It also underscores the need for continued efforts to address the underlying issues that lead to children running away and going missing in the first place.